First mention of menhirs 1070 (≈ 1070)
Written attestation of the two close menhirs.
années 1770
Construction of the castle
Construction of the castle années 1770 (≈ 1770)
Sponsored by Luc Pezot, inspired by the Petit Trianon.
1789
Death of Luc Pezot
Death of Luc Pezot 1789 (≈ 1789)
Death without heir before the Revolution.
5 juillet 1948
Partial classification
Partial classification 5 juillet 1948 (≈ 1948)
Façades, roofs and ground floor classified.
10 avril 1948
Registration of the castle
Registration of the castle 10 avril 1948 (≈ 1948)
Protection of unclassified parts.
17 juin 1949
Park registration
Park registration 17 juin 1949 (≈ 1949)
Aisle and wood listed with historical monuments.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
The castle (with the exception of parties already classified): inscription by order of 10 April 1948; The aisle bordered by trees linking the road to the castle as well as the wood traced opposite the castle: inscription by decree of 17 June 1949; The facades and roofs of the castle as well as the rooms of the ground floor, the enclosed park of walls including doors and gates, the sundial, the commons (except the farm): classification by decree of 5 July 1949
Key figures
Luc Pezot - Sponsor and owner
Bourgeois shipowner, achevin, inspirator of the castle.
Famille Auvynet - Post-revolutionary owners
Present downhills still occupying the castle.
Origin and history
The Château de Pierre-Levée is a 3rd quarter of the 18th century building located in Olonne-sur-Mer, in the commune of Sables-d'Olonne, Vendée. Its name comes from two menhirs erected nearby, mentioned as early as 1070, attesting to a prehistoric occupation of the site. This place combines a megalithic heritage and a late classical architecture, rare in the region.
The castle was commissioned in the 1770s by Luc Pezot, an enriched bourgeois, former silversmith of the city, shipowner and achevin. Inspired by the Petit Trianon de Versailles, he built a royal home, reflecting his social ambitions. This project contrasted with the difficult economic context of the time: the kingdom, on the brink of bankruptcy, saw its people wane. Luc Pezot, without an heir, died before the Revolution.
After the Revolution, the castle became the property of the Auvynet family, whose descendants still own it today. Since the 1940s, the estate has been protected as historical monuments. The facades, roofs, ground floor rooms, enclosed park, sundial and commons have been classified since 1948, while the aisle of trees and opposite wood have been listed since 1949. The site remains a testament to the bourgeois ambition of the eighteenth century and its architectural heritage.
Today, the castle hosts a summer show retracing its history, combining heritage and cultural animation. Its park, menhirs and architecture make it an emblematic place of the Vendean heritage, between prehistoric memory and the fascist of the Enlightenment.
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Future
Summer Show:
200 actors relive the history of this high Olonne place in the park of the castle, from the origin of humanity to the contemporary era, through the construction of the castle and the bloody revolutionary period.
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